There is a high prevalence of hypertension today, making it among the top contributors to deaths caused by heart disease and stroke. It has become an alarming public health burden that cannot be overlooked. There are a number of antihypertensive drugs available today, and one of them is Clonidine.
Clonidine is used “off-label” to treat several illnesses. Off-label prescriptions are FDA-authorized drugs prescribed by doctors for ailments other than those approved, which is a typical occurrence in medicine. Clonidine, for example, is used off-label to treat anxiety, sleeplessness, post-traumatic stress disorder, and withdrawal symptoms from opiates, benzodiazepines, and alcohol. However, it can also be misused by people with substance abuse disorder.
Understanding Clonidine’s Medical Applications
Globally, hypertension affects an estimated 26 percent of the world’s population, and the prevalence is expected to increase to 29 percent by 2025, driven largely by rising incidents in developing nations.
In addition, Clonidine has been used off-label to treat the symptoms of opioid withdrawal syndrome for more than 25 years. It reduces withdrawal symptoms and has an anti-craving effect on individuals who are addicted to opioids. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist and a medication-assisted therapy (MOUD) that has been authorized by the FDA.
Clonidine shortens the detox process and reduces anxiety among patients. It belongs to the antihypertensive medication class, so it’s routinely recommended to aid with the withdrawal effects of opioids. It inhibits the action of the sympathetic nervous system by blocking substances that cause it to fire. Sweating, hot flashes, watery eyes, and restlessness are among the symptoms of opioid detoxification.
Clonidine Addiction: What Are the Signs and Symptoms?
While clonidine can be used in various medical treatments, it can also be abused for its addictive effects. Clonidine addiction may manifest itself in a variety of ways. For example, some of the most common signs and symptoms of clonidine addiction include having intense cravings for the drug. This forces them to invest a significant amount of time and effort in procuring the drug.
The efficacy of Clonidine in treating hypertension has been tested and proven, but there’s still a significant risk of inducing drug dependency. Although clonidine is not as addictive as other medicines, people may develop an addiction to it over time.
Taking clonidine in larger or more frequent doses than prescribed is dangerous. It may enhance the impact and duration of some medications, notably opiates. For this reason, persons who combine clonidine with alcohol or other substances may develop greater levels of dependency.
As a result of clonidine addiction, you may have difficulties at home, school, or job. Despite its dangers, people continue to abuse it because they will need higher doses of clonidine to experience the same addictive sensations.
What Are Clonidine Addiction’s Short-Term Effects
One of the reasons why clonidine is so effective in treating high blood pressure is because it decreases a person’s heart rate. It causes a person’s blood vessels to relax, allowing more blood to flow through them. Clonidine has been shown to interact with the portion of the brain that regulates impulsive behavior, which may explain the association between the drug and ADHD.
In addition, clonidine may have a sedative effect on individuals in the short term, making it difficult to operate a motor vehicle or other types of equipment while taking it. The use of clonidine with other depressants, such as alcohol may be exceedingly harmful due to the possibility of a heightened effect from the drug.
What Are Clonidine Addiction’s Long-Term Consequences
Someone with a history of drug abuse or who has recently detoxed from opioids is more likely to develop an addiction to clonidine than someone who does not. A wide variety of undesirable side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, may occur due to clonidine administration.
It can cause symptoms such as fever, headaches, fatigue, and general weakness in persons who use it. Additionally, there is the risk that this will have substantial effects on the cardiovascular system as well. Cardiovascular complications such as atrioventricular blockade, congestive heart failure, and palpitations have been reported due to the treatment. These conditions may be very harmful and even lethal without immediate medical assistance.
Clonidine has the potential to harm the central nervous system. Among some people, clonidine has been proven to cause anxiety, hallucinations, sadness, and sleep problems, among other symptoms. If you have any of these conditions, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible since they might be severe and life-threatening if left untreated.
When clonidine is used for a lengthy period, it may cause unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms. Aside from nausea and vomiting, constipation is a side effect due to taking the drug.
How Long Does Clonidine Last In The Body?
Clonidine’s effects typically last 12 to 16 hours. However, medicine remains may persist in a person’s circulation for much longer. In general, clonidine consumption may be detected in urine up to three days after the user has taken the medication. This is important to comprehend since the medicine does not instantly leave a person’s system after its effects have worn off.
What Are Clonidine Withdrawal Symptoms
Nervousness, agitation, anxiety, and tremors are some of the withdrawal symptoms associated with clonidine. They may also include chronic headaches, sleepiness, vomiting or nausea, and increased blood pressure, among other symptoms. According to findings of recent research, professional clonidine withdrawal is both safer and more effective than at-home clonidine detoxification. Professional treatment professionals are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to give medical and clinical care to patients.
If you attempt to stop taking clonidine, there is a risk you could experience severe withdrawal symptoms. It may be difficult to escape the cycle of clonidine addiction without the assistance of a trained specialist. Thankfully, undergoing a clonidine detox program would make the procedure more comfortable and painless.
What Is the Timetable for Clonidine Withdrawal
It typically takes 12 hours after the last dosage for the first signs of withdrawal to appear, several hours after the clonidine detoxification process completes itself. During the first seven days after the last dosage, clonidine withdrawal symptoms will intensify and will gradually diminish over the following weeks.
In some cases, clonidine detox and withdrawal symptoms may last for many weeks. However, they are not always severe and usually go away within the first week after quitting the drug.
Conclusion
With any medication prescribed for your medical condition, you need to be careful in following your doctor’s orders so you do not end up compromising your health. Your goal is to achieve wellness and be at the peak of your health. To achieve this, you need to pair your medication intake with a healthy, nutritious diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Just think about all the time and resources you pour into maintaining your treatment. Consider them as an investment to the quality of your life and that of your family. If you are strong and healthy, you can provide share life longer with your loved ones, and provide a better quality of life for them.
In case you are recovering from substance abuse and looking into Clonidine to help you get better, consult with the best medical experts to get you started on your path to better health.